Sincerity of heart is the real capital. If it is found anywhere, then Guru and Krishna will always be on that side. … God willing, one’s endeavours will grow. They will grow according to the sincerity of feeling. … These people will have to begin in a humble way. Their sincerity and goodness will be their capital. They will not have so much grandeur, money, or men. In a mild way, heart within and God overhead, they may launch their missionary work.

A narottam sannyasi has been qualified in this way: with Hari and Guru in his heart, he leaves the world and connects his individual interest to the cause of the Supreme. Gehat [from home] means from individual consideration. A narottam sannyasi renounces home and devotes himself to the public’s interest, to the distribution of Guru and Hari to one and all.

He feels, “I am drinking nectar through my ears, and that is causing the dissolution of this mayic (misconceived) attachment.”

I am told there is a medical solution, an acid, which can dissolve iron. I am told that dacoits use this solution [to open locks and steal goods]. Like this acid, one drop of nectar in connection with the Absolute can dissolve long-drawn familial attachment—all the interests of the body and mind. When that is dissolved, then one’s bondage is gone. One becomes a man in the public street whose business is to take from door to door news of the nobility of that solution, that nectar: “A drop of nectar absolved me from all the loans of exploitation [made in this world] and made me free. If you also use this, you will be freed. You will be freed from your long-incurred loan from material nature. You will be able to go to your own soil: back to home, back to God.”

In this way a sannyasi will carry that nectar: Hari-katha, the news of the Absolute, of the sweetest of the sweet! That is the only necessity. There is no other necessity. That is the only indispensable necessity of us all.

“Many humble, swan-like souls who once partake of a drop of Krishna’s constant Pastimes, which are nectar for the ears, become free from all strife, immediately leave their miserable homes and families, and wander here, begging to live (living as sannyasis).”

Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj is the foremost modern exponent of the conception of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and the school of Srila Rupa Goswami. Subtle and profound yet vivid and practical, his representation of both the broadest and deepest spiritual truths has and continues to fortify and nurture the faith of spiritual aspirants the world over. For more information on Srila Sridhar Maharaj, please visit his biography page.